@Dave Largent - $20k-$30k seems like a large swing with this priced house.

I want to save on contractor costs, but don’t have the skills to swing a hammer, or the job flexibility to manage on-site construction.

Short sales are tough in central Texas because we don't have wild equity swings and the foreclosure process is rapid.

Things are back in swing here in NJ and think this may be a great way to make a living while learning and starting my own investments.

Without the HELOC, would not have been able to swing a second deal. 

In fact, we were strategizing our next move over a golf game yesterday.  

I'm definitely interested in getting back into the swing of things!

We have a buildable lot in Old South Golf course on the 9th fairway.

This would allow a re-certification process every 4 years, and every Right-Left swing, to decide the new direction the administration (hence population as a whole) wish to take the education system.

Your wife will have to have some strong financials to justify the move.Owner occupied precludes the likely funding source, SBAThe property needs renovation, so you'll need to finance that as well which pigeon holes the loan further.Here's what I think would be a solution:If you can swing the move to North Carolina and income qualify, get an FHA 203K loan to purchase the property and do the renovations.